April 21, 2008 - Msg 62133: Looks like I spoke a little too soon on whether my wife would want to find another church, as she did bring up that she was still mad about what the Pastor said. I did bring up that I saw one of the guys helping the ladies decorate, but she said it wasn't the same thing.
Then Kai asked what we were talking about(and also brought up that tomorrow was the open house for the Baptist Academy they have attached to the church), and my wife told her, again half-joking and half-angry, that we were talking about finding another church, but I don't know if she was just saying that to get my dander up. Then she said, well, she didn't want Kai to grow up thinking that it was ok for women to be subservient to men.
I tried to explain to her as best I could that the Pastor probably didn't mean it the way she may have taken it. Then I took your idea, Boo, and suggested that she talk to him instead of getting all wound up about it and wondering what he meant, and that seemed to make her drop it. For now.
Then as we were eating, my wife asked me if I wanted Kai to go to private school(referencing the Baptist Academy), and of course I said yes. Then Kai, being the inquisitive little tike that she is, asked what a private school was, and I told her it was a school that doesn't have to follow all the government's rules that a public school does. My wife added that you can pray to God if you want to in a private school. At least she understands that and doesn't seem to be against it.
But yeah, my wife is pretty complex. One minute she's angry at the Pastor and the next she is talking about sending Kai to school there.
Is it any wonder I am confused?!;)

The only problem is that I work tomorrow and Kai has school of course, and the open house is during that time. But I told Kai maybe we could go visit and learn what they have to offer another time. I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

But lots of good advice here and interesting comments all around, thank you.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that Kai got through her first day of no tv(or computer). The school is having a No Tv Week, and you get a little prize for every day you don't watch tv, and then a special outing with the principal if you go the whole week. So Kai is being a good little girl and wants to go the whole week.
I'm doing it with her, well, at least when she is here, and awake. There is not really that much I want to watch on tv anymore anyway.


Hope all you folks who are feeling poorly get better soon.

-Sterling Holobyte

April 21, 2008 - Msg 62134: Wow, is it time to sweep already?

Man, even on the porch I have to do all the housekeeping! ;)

-Sterling Holobyte
April 21, 2008 - Msg 62135:
Hello porch family.

Sterling...you sure do a great job sweeping.

Ro, MW and Hazel.....praying that you all are feeling better soon.

Spot....Our Braves have 5 wins in a row now. And Smoltz is going after his 3000th K tomorrow night.

Praying for all the porch family....Have a Jesus filled night!
-REV.
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62136: Good morning everyone. I'm in (very) early today to try and meet some deadlines. But of course I need some time on the porch to start my day.

STERLING: I hope that all goes well. I'm sure the school wouldn't mind setting up an individual meeting time for you. I know the school NOra goes to has an open house but also makes arrangements for potential parents/students who for whatever reason can't make it on that day.

ROMEENA: Your husband certainly sounds like one of the good ones--and a fine example for the rest of us husbands.

MDC: Yes, docents are sort of like tour guides for history museums. The organization I work for operates a county history museum, a house museum, and a research library.

Where's AUH2O been? Maybe he's off with President Carter on his recent trip (heehee).

Speaking of Jimmy, no matter my opinions of the man, far from defending his recent trip I find myself really disagreeing with it. That said, I honestly believe Carter is a genuine Christian man who is trying to do what is right. I figure either he's horribly misguided or truly doing what God is guiding him to do. I don't know which; God has asked people to do stranger things, and we don't see the big picture, that's for sure. Still, it seems like a mistake. I guess I'll have to disagree with him but not rule out that I could be wrong.

Well, time to sharpen my nose (with the grindstone, get it? Hey, it's too early for more complex humor).

BOO: I need coffee and clean shorts, please, in no particular order...

Me-They
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62137: Morning porch, hope everyone is up and ready to face the day.

Hope you are feeling better Romeena.

supposed to be a beautiful day her in Northeast Tennessee today, around 70 sunny and dry.

Breakfast menu will be: scrambled eggs, toast, sausage, bacon, jelly. Coffee or tea to drink.

My husband was raised by a mother who had 4 boys and they all did very little housework growing up. Consequently he does not take initiative in helping with the daily chores. He will do things if I asked but I get frustrated by having to ask.
Like Romeena said, it is not a deal breaker but some help would be good now and again. I do assign tasks to the kids and am teaching them how to do laundy, cook and clean. Those are some basic skills that will help them out no matter what they chose to do once they leave home.

Well enough about my stuff.

see you at breakfast. have a blessed day.

Big Maude
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62138: You got it, Me-They...clean shorts first, coffee later.

I heard an interesting interview with Carter not long ago that made me raise my eyebrows, sounded much more humanist than Christian. I won't expound on his comments for fear of offended those who may not share our beliefs. Hey, I was wondering if your museum has a website we could look at...unless you would rather not give us the information we would need to find you any day of the week!...ha

Sterling, all I can say is, "Who can figure out a woman?"...not even me. I can't guess what your wife will do next, but I will keep praying. I know God is at work in your family, guess we shouldn't be surprised by a few "waves".

That is such a sweet story about your Dale. I know several times in my own life, instead of complaining about something Bruce was doing/not doing, I would pray and ask the Lord to change his heart, and He would. Usually it only takes one prayer. I think Bruce must have a soft heart towards God and it sounds like Dale did/does, too.

I had an interesting experience yesterday (in light of our discussion on women's and men's roles in the family). While I was out back near dusk, putting in some laundry (of course), I turned and on the feeder was a beatiful red cardinal looking at me. He was only 15 feet away, so I edged over to a nearby lawn chair and sat down to watch him. He flew off and sat on the fence for a minute and then when I looked back to the feeder, there sat his mate on the feeder. As she started to eat, the male flew to a nearby, higher tree in the neighbor's yard. After the female had eaten for awhile, I noticed he was perched on a high pole and standing very tall, calling loudly to her. She left the feeder and they both flew off together. Now I started thinking about that. I thought about how the male was brighter, more noticable because it is nature's way for him to attract danger from his mate and offspring. I also noticed that he was watching his mate from a distance and didn't go far, then when it was time to go, he called to her and she followed. I started thinking about how those birds were doing what they knew to do, naturally, for self-preservation. There was no argument or fighting about "who was boss", it just worked. Now, I'm not suggesting that we are animals or have to think like them, but it makes you wonder. I certainly not only believe in equal rights for women, I believe in extra rights for women...like protection under the law (how many women are killed each year by spouse or boyfriends?), but you have to admit that when women started leaving home for the workplace in droves, there was a breakdown in the family...of course, there were many other factors involved as well. I just think it was great when mom was home, and there when the kids got home from school. I know my mom quit working when she married Dad because he already had two young boys and she wanted to make them a home. She never worked while any of the kids were at home and we loved it. The home just felt like home when we got back from school and mom was there making us a snack or working on dinner. It was a very secure feeling that I think many kids miss out on today. I was very connected to mom because mom was there for me. We lived modestly and just got by most of the time, but there were always presents on Christmas and birthdays. Talk about work, my dad had a very difficult job working in an aluminum plant. He actually damaged his lungs from asbestos but he made a living for his family. He was gone alot because he served as judge in our little town, too, but my childhood felt secure because of mom. I want to try to give the same thing to my kids but it is a sacrifice sometimes. One that is worth it. Of course, as we have talked about, it doesn't have to be mom at home, in same cases, Dad is even better! God bless you Dads who take the primary role of caretaker of your children. You are amazing. I have worked out side the hom and stayed home and working outside the home was easier.

Wow, that was too long, sorry...

Boo


April 22, 2008 - Msg 62139: I might add, some days we would have rather had Dad around!...he was the the voice of sanity when one of us got hurt or if we were bleeding. Mom freaked over everything!

Boo
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62140: I wanted to comment about the roles of women, men and the Church (or the way I see it) but I think it best that I refrain. I am very opinionated about such things and unlike M-T - I don't always want to start a moulage. I will say that the Bible says that men should love their wives as Christ loves the Church. Too me, that means it is a deep, unconditional love and if it means that men need to pick up their own shorts once in a while - so be it. It doesn't always mean that women are subserviant but rather that if a man truly loves his wife, the wife won't feel subserviant.

hm
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62141: Actually, HM, I don't think anything previously mentioned would necessarily negate what you stated. And I think you stated that very, very well.

BOO: I'm curious about what you heard Carter say. I've read several of his books, including "Living Faith" and the other one about his own faith (can't remember the name) and 99% of the stuff he says in there I agree with. Now, that's not to say I always agree with him politically, but I believe there are many political positions Christians can come at from different directions and honestly disagree. On the essentials, though, he impressed me as pretty conservative (in the faith, that is). One thing that stood out as neat to me was that, no matter how busy or where they are, he and Roselyn read the Bible every single night. They have read it through a number of times over the years. If they aren't together, they read the same passages and start together again when they can. They said that in recent years they have started to read the Bible in Spanish to brush up on the language.

Me-They
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62142: Oh, my parents were brought up in very traditional homes and tended to kep those roles in our family. I always cleaned, at no particular urging from my mother (though I'm ceratin she didn't mind), because I couldn't help it. After a very brief, failed marriage in my early twenties, I lived solo for about six years. Because I couldn't stand not having everything just so, and I lived alone, I did everything. After the Mrs. and I wed, I viewed it more like whatever she did was just one less thing I had to. Since kids, though, she's taken up more slack. I still have a hard time with the constant "little messes" and untidiness of having kids. When I lived alone, my house always looked like a picture in a catalog or something; nothing was ever out of place for long (I'm also a constant sofa pillow fluffer). But, I guess the chaos goes with teh territory! And, frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Me-They
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62143: Oh no, You're a pillow fluffer, too? Seems I am constantly putting the couch cushions back in place. Anyway, I guess I will put your curiosity to rest and just tell you that I heard Carter interviewed on a Christian radio program and when they asked him point blank what he believed, he wavered...no, I guess he more than wavered. When asked if Jesus was the only way, he said no. I can't remember much else, but it seems like it was the "all roads lead to God" thing. I know Christians differ alot in their opinions and their ideas about justification but the one fundamental doctrine of Christianity for 2000 years rests on the identity of Christ. He is who He said he is. The only way to the Father. It's the foundation of the church and of you pull that down, everything else comes down, too....that's my way of thinking, anyway (for the little bit that its worth). You see why I didn't want to expound on it...it usually causes offense, in fact I believe it's the very thing that makes the gospel an offense to many; the idea that man can't fix or save himself with his pursuit of "being good" and acceptable to God on his own. God had to send His only son to do that.

Enough said..

Boo
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62144: I can't disagree with your opinion, BOO, and it's mine, too. You can't "kind of" be a Christian. It's an all or nothing game, even if some people don't want to acknowledge that fact. We don't get to make the rules.

That said, God has endowed all of us with free will, and that includes the freedom to believe what we want. So, I'm not gonna start a moulage, either. To each his/her own. But (I always have a "but," don't I?) someone once asked, "How can people believe that the only absolute truth is that there is no absolute truth?"

Me-They
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62145: Exactillioso, M-T.

Boo
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62146: Yea Rev I hope John is on tonight...planted 43 pepper plants and 28 tomato plants yesterday gona finish today...okra,corn,peas and beans...squash too...well let me get busy...hey Maude,ro,boo and all...SPOT
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62147: Lots of rabbits to chase there, and I'm too short of breath to do much running, so I won't. So - back to Sterling's wife's displeasure with what she sees as s#xism at the church. Hmmm. I think it all has to be put in perspective. My church too, has put out requests for "some ladies" to help out in the kitchen at times, or to serve food for a funeral meal, or some such. I suppose I could get offended at that, but on the other hand, to be fair I would also have to be offended when they ask for "some men" to come up and help fix the potholes in the parking lot, or to repair some leaks in the roof of the sanctuary (about three stories high - no way, my dear!).

What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. If I'm going to insist that the men be included in the more "domestic" activities around the church, then I'd better be willing to put on a hardhat and try to hang onto the jackhammer out there on the asphalt. The fact is, men and women are different, and vive la difference! I know, some women are as strong as most men, and some men can finesse a task as well as most women, but the average, the norm, is that men are bigger and stronger than women. Traditional gender roles usually are loosely based upon those differences. At my church, there may be more women than men in the kitchen at times after a meal, but there are more men than women folding and storing the big heavy tables and all those chairs. Usually, we just all see what needs to be done, and everyone turns to the task for which they're best suited. I'd drop one of those huge tables on somebody's foot, so I don't try to do that. Instead, I help clear them so someone else can put them away.

In my opinion, gender roles don't have to be an issue, and usually aren't unless someone chooses to make them so. --Romeena
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62148: Wow - M-T complimented me. I should bookmark that with a big X.

Spot I am jealous of your garden already. I won't be planting much until about May. I hope to get some taters and onions in the ground this weekend and then I'll wait on the other stuff.

Well - ya'll take care and I'll see you in the funny pages!

hm
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62149:
Hi all you honeys and dears.
I think we've had the Jesus discussion, so I'll just say HEY to all.
Prayers continue.
Talk to ya all later.
MDC
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62150:
Oh yes, special prayers for Boo to be empowerd with God's truth tonight, and to be protected by His angels.
mdc
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62151: I'm kinda jealous of SPOT's garden, too (I've seen pictures of it!). I am really looking forward to the time when I will have one, myself. The only problem is, I don't seem to have a very green thumb. Bruce does, though. He always did the gardening/landscaping. Funny how I always killed everything (because I'm a nurse).

Boo
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62152: Oh, I dodn't see you there, MDC. Thank you so much for your prayers!

Boo
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62153:
Oh, I forgot to mention that we have a Culver's ButterBurger restaurant opening today about 2 miles from my home. It is the firat one out here. Anyone ever been to one? They say it is a chain from the midwest, but can they hold up to What-A-Burger?
MDC
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62154: I certainly never heard of Culver's...might be better than What-A-Burger....doubt it. Do you all have Fudrucker's Burgers, or is it just a Texas thing?

Boo
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62155: Well, I had my big laugh for the evening. I just watched "Support Your Local Sheriff" on TCM. I've probably seen it at least ten times, and it just gets funnier every time. The cast is marvelous - such stellar lights as James Garner, Walter Brennan, the inimitable Jack Elam, Harry Morgan, and the classic dim bulb, Bruce Dern. Some of the comic scenes are unforgettable. It's an old movie, and was one of my husband's favorites, for good reason. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it. It's a bit like TAGS, in that every time you watch it, you see something you missed before, or something familiar that just gets funnier each time you see it.

What is a Butterburger? Sounds sinful, but I'd like to try it. Does everyone have a Red Robin? I don't know how long we've had them, but I just found them recently, and they do make some good burgers. Their fries and onion rings are pretty terrific, too.

Having grown up in the country, with a large garden every spring, summer and fall, at this time of the year I get the "gardening itch" too. However, I'm not willing to sacrifice any flower space for veggies, and with good reason. I couldn't grow enough to make it worthwhile, the squirrels would get a lot of it, and there's a small farmers' market nearby that sells wonderful homegrown stuff all summer, at very reasonable prices. If I had even 1/4 acre to devote to a garden, it would be very tempting. My lot is just barely over 1/4 acre, but the house and front yard occupy about half, so that doesn't leave much, even if I used the whole back yard, and that's definitely not going to happen. So, I thank God for the little farmers' market, and go my merry way. A garden would be fun, though, I must admit.

My little Starr just gets sweeter every day. She is the cutest thing, so happy and cheerful, so full of mischief but so innocent. I'm so glad I have her, and I hope she's glad she has me. I think she is. She's such an affectionate little thing, and I just love that.

Well, be blessed, all. I hope things are going well for Boo and her girls tonight. --Romeena
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62156: Just stop in to said HI ALL.

TOM

April 22, 2008 - Msg 62157: I'm so glad that little Starr is such a blessing to you, Ro. It is an answer to prayer.

Things went very well tonight with the girls, thank you. Best time we've had in a long time. I had a room full and several new girls. I took a friend of mine who is a horse trainer and has 20 horses. She talked to the girls about that and they asked lots of questions so they were paying attention and that helped to settle them into listening. A few of the girls shared testimony about what God had done in their lives and that was wonderful. I did have the opportunity to share the gospel and I pray they are receptive. It was just one of those times when they were very open and began to share about the horror their lives have been. So much abuse and pain. We had a new girl named Ashley who was so sweet and she was there because she cuts herself. She had scars all over her little arms. She participated well in the class and even seemed to be a leader among the girls at her young age. I pray she keeps coming. Thank you for your prayers, God is at work.

Ro, I think it is "BetterBurger, not ButterBurger"?

Better go get Erin ready for bed and help Sean with some leftover homework...woman's work is never done!

Boo
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62158: Hi all,
Just so's you'd know, I ended up stopping in at the open house before I went to work. I spoke with a lady who was filling in for the school secretary, and with the principal. Both nice people. I was there kind of early due to a misprint on the church bulletin last Sunday.
I was able to look in on a couple of the classes. I was surprised by the willingness of the kids to participate in the classroom discussion. The teacher asked a question and just about every hand shot up with glee.
I didn't think of many questions to ask(I always think of them after I leave somewhere), but they gave me a packet with some forms and expressing the mission of the school.
One part on the admissions policy sheet I need to find out more about regards the discipline policy, where they say the parents must give consent, in writing, to give the school full discretion in the discipline of their children at school, within the bounds of the discipline policy. My wife was wondering about that one, because she is totally against spanking. I myself, don't have as much of a problem with spanking, as long as it brief(like a swat) and not akin to a beating.
I've never put Kai over my knee or anything, but I have given her a light swat on her behind in those rare times she gets too unruly.
I must admit though, that I don't much like the thought of someone else doing that.

But I may be getting ahead of myself. They might not even be referring to that kind of physical punishment. We'll just have to find out what exactly their discipline policy is.

Of course, all this could be moot anyway, as we would have to find out how to pay for the schooling. It's really not all that extravagantly expensive, but right now we still couldn't really afford it. I heard something about school vouchers in Wisconsin, and I will have to check up on that to see if they are doing it. I hope they are. I am all for school choice.

Never heard of Red Robin, Ro. But yes, we have a Culver's here. The burgers are sinfully greasy, and therefor tasty. But what I really love, and MDC you will have to try, is the chicken tenders. If they are the same as the kind we have at our Culver's, they are sooooo tender they practically melt in your mouth. Best chicken tenders I have ever had! No lie.
Chicken tenders, MDC, get'em!! :)
...if you like chicken, of course.

-Sterling Holobyte
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62159: No Culver'e here in Indy that I know of - we do have Fudruckers but we've never been. It is in the city and we don't go there much.

Glad tonite was good Boo - you needed that after all of the trials you have had in past weeks.

Ro - I must agree with the James Garner flick - my kids just love those. Anyone familiar with Ma and Pa Kettle? Looking for those on DVD - I think my boys would have a cow watching them. Specially Pa with Gearduct and Crowbar.

Have a good nite's sleep ya'll

hm
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62160: No, they do call them "Butterburgers", Boo. I don't really know why. I think they put butter on the buns before they toast them, but then they would be "Butterbuns", wouldn't they?! ;)

I think they do say that they are "better burgers" in some of their advertisements though, Boo. So maybe you both are correct.

-Sterling Holobyte
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62161: Sterling - I doubt if they are taling about that kind of punishment. I bet it is for detentions, timeouts, etc and they want to know they have parental support if they would impose such a punishment. I will support my son's teachers or the principal on most cases but I do have problems with some of the reasons they put infractions on the students. Then I fight and I let my voice be known. My oldest got caught up in some peer pressure last week and his punishment was a day of noon recess spent doing homework. That didn't bother me and he was truly sorry for breaking the rules. He was coerced into doing something that was not right but he was afraid of not being one of the boys. It could have been worse but the school had my full support. That is what schools need now - parental support. I think it is great you have private schools so close. If Kai is meant to go there - you will find funds available for her.

hm
April 22, 2008 - Msg 62162:
Hello porch family.

All this talking about food is making me hungry.

Ro....we don't have the Red Robin but I've seen many of them in my travels. I've never eaten at one.

MDC...Never heard of Culver's.

Boo....Glad things went well with the girls tonight. And yep we have Fudruckers here in SC.

Spot...my dad has his garden all set out too. He loves his garden. I'm not home long enough to tend to one so my dad always has plenty to fill our freezer.

Prayers for all the porch family....Jesus loves you!
-REV.



April 23, 2008 - Msg 62163: Hey Sterling, glad you got to attend the open house. I can tell you in our experience with 2 different christian schools, that each did use spanking as a form of discipline in extreme cases but they made it clear to the parents that if spanking were to be the choice of discipline, it would be done in love, not in anger and parents would always be notified first. I, personally didn't have a problem with it once I knew the staff and was assured of their kindness, etc. I do think, though, that if a parent has a personal conviction against spanking, and speaks to the administrator about such, they would work around it, especially in one as young as Kai....just a thought. I agree with homemaker about the fee (and parental support). I will be praying that if it's the place for Kai, the funds will be available. We are blessed to only pay 150/month for Erin's school but I know most are much more costly. I have a friend who was paying like 800/month to send her son to catholic middle school. wow.

I'm not against spanking, but I do think alternative forms of discipline obtain more lasting results with most kids...just depends, I guess. I know with my own, taking away privledges is always the most painful!!ha Uh Sterling, MDC won't buy chicken tenders unless the chickens were made in the USA...and "Butter" burgers, good heavens, sounds like an arterial nightmare (thanks for the correction, Sterling).

Thanks, Homemaker and REV, I did need it!...thanks for the prayers. You asked about Ma and Pa Kettle, HM and I thought of one of my favorite movies called "The Egg and I", with Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray. It also stars Ma and Pa Kettle. It is just wonderful from start to finish. I ordered it from Amazon a couple of years ago and it came in a set with another Kettle movie...look it up on Amazon, you won't be sorry!

Gotta get Erin off to school...

Boo


April 23, 2008 - Msg 62164: Morning all. Hope everyone is up and at it.
Ro, we have Red Robins around here and I like em. You should try there clam chowder soup some time. It's not bad at all for being a fancy hamburger chain.
I still enjoy the In-n-Out places. They are mostly a Southern California place, although there is one in Las Vegas and some I think in Arizona. And they put one in the very southern part of Utah but (St George) but thats a 300 mile drive one way for me, to far to go for a burger. You been to any of those MDC? All they do is burgers, but they do em good.
We also have a Fudruckers close by but have never been there. The name of the place just don't sit well with me. It's a long story. Anyway the best little burger joint for me is a place called the Burger Bar. It's locally owned and has been in the same small location for as long as I have been around. Very good burgers at a very good price and milkshakes that will make your toes curl they are so good. They do a big business and no drive up window. You get out and order your food at a walk up window. They give you a number and then call it when your order is ready. Nothing is pre-cooked. So you wait a bit. But the quality is worth the wait I think, and so must many others cause they are always busy. Dag-gone it! Now I'm gonna have to get me one for lunch. Guess I'll start the new diet tomorrow. :)

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62165:

Hey Folks

Morning, Asa & BOO

Sterling-I think you have gotten some good advice regarding schooling. We went through the same thought process when our kids were starting school. We have a Catholic and a Baptist school close by. We did decide on public school but much of what you have posted sounds familiar.

As for the spanking, I do believe it has it's place but I do not want some school administrator spanking my child. Nope, that dog don't hunt.

Me-They Thanks for your concern buddy. You can rest assured that I would not travel with brother Jimmy. He may very well be a Christian, I don't know how supporting terrorists is a witness to that? But, he doesn't have to answer to me.

homemaker- Loved your post Msg 62140. Couldn't agree more.

auh2o
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62166: Good morning, all. Homemaker, I'll second auh2o's vote. Submission does NOT equate to subservience. Submission is voluntary, a willing choice. Subservience is not.

One of the best burgers in my town can be found at Big State Drug Store, in old downtown Irving. They have a lunch counter, and about five booths, and a couple of ice-cream parlor style tables with little wire chairs. Go in there on a weekday around noon, and you will stand in line for a seat. Really good old-fashioned burgers, great thick-cut fries and onion rings, and malts served to you in a tall glass with the remainder in a can alongside. It's the worst-kept secret in Irving! You'll see cops, housewives, politicians, secretaries, bankers and day laborers all sitting at the counter, enjoying the food. It's great! It was one of my husband's favorite haunts.

Well, gotta run. I still feel just awful, and am going to the doctor in a few minutes. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62167: Ro, we have alittle place like that in Corpus called Hamlin Pharmacy..been in business since the 50's and still has the old lunch counter and booths and like the one in Irving, you see all sorts of people there at lunch, politicians, nurses and docs, constructions workers, college students. Sean and I ate a burger there recently and it was nice little trip down memory lane. I love places like that.

I have never been to Fudruckers, either Asa. I just heard they make a good (but expensive) burger. I am interested in your long story about the name, though....hmmm...

Bruce is home from work today and has some errands to run. I just had a long talk with him and he is so stressed I am concerned for him. I'm afraid he is killing himself between the stress on the job and trying to get our house built. We are just torn between giving up and buying a house or building...I mean, if he kills himself, what then? He hasn't been taking his blood pressure medication so I am going to have to put it in his hand every night, I guess. A major problem is that he is the only computer guy at work right now and they have been trying to hire some help for him for months. They have interview several people but none of them has worked out. He is so far behind on projects that he could work around the clock and not catch up. So, he has that stress, plus working to put up the fence and get the house built. I just don't know what to do about all of this. He has been praying so hard for such a long time for direction and he just needs to hear from God about what to do (we do). Please remember us in our prayers and that the Lord would give us wisdom. We both want to do the right thing for God and our family. Thanks, friends.

Boo
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62168: Good morning everyone. Still mucho busy here (that's from the Spanish, by the way). And it's so darned hard to concentrate on work when it's so beautiful outside.

AUH2O: Don't tell me you were off trying to vote in the Pennsylvania primary!

I wonder if they give out free peanuts when you travel on a plane with President Carter? JUst a thought.

STERLING: I also agree spanking should be done at home, period. Nora's school doesn't do corporal punishment, but does ask parents to sign a parental pledge that they will support teachers and adminstration in their discipline. We did shop a few schools that did spank as a last resort, but in both it was policy to notify the parents first, at which point the parent made the decision to allow it, be present, do it themselves, or work something else out. One of the schools made it point to say it had never had to spank a child.

See y'all at lunch. All this burger discussion has made me hungry!

Me-They
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62169: You snuck in on me, BOO. Prayers going up for you and your family!

We have Fuddruckers, too. Their big thing around here is you can pick your cut and piece of steak.

M-T
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62170: I just got the funniest email from a friend, with really stupid quotes from people. I am going to end my posts with some of them for your enjoyment.

Boo

Here's the first: "It isn't pollution that's harming the environment. It's the impurities in our air and water that are doing it!"~~AL GORE
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62171: Thanks, Me-They

Boo
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62172: OK, just one more...

"Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean, I would love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."~Mariah Carey. (oh, brother.)

Boo
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62173: Your command of the Spanish language just astounds me M-T. I just have one question though - do you have your green card or are you here illegally? Oh yeah, another question, where were you when Ro's trees were chopped to smithereens? Hablo Espanol?

I have to find out if Indiana has an open or closed primary. If it is open then I can vote for Hillary in a couple of weeks and then go the other way in the fall. Just want to see Hillary and Obama keep duking it out. No more political talk now! I just love Chaos! and moulages!

Boo - I LOVE the quotes, especially Al Gore's. Did you know that some of the footage used in his movie was really computer generated and it was from a Science Fiction movie? That really slays me! Keep them coming!

Well - I must go rescue some students from the dreaded Study Hall of doom!

hm
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62174:
HM- I see that you are still in good with the IT person to get Mayberry at school!
Boo- Very funny about the USA chickens! Did you heard that one of the best selling cars in China right now is the Escalade!! Yes!True!
How did rehab go? I was praying for ya while on my evening walk. I will keep bruce in my prayers also. Stress is a killer!
Sterling, I drove by the Culver's and it was packed! A cop was there directing traffic, so i guess i will wait for a while, but will try the tenders. Thanks.
Prayers for all, whether 'ept' or not! ha
Pax et Bonum,
MDC

April 23, 2008 - Msg 62175: MDC - I can get to the Mayberry site but not to my boer goat site. Go figure!

hm
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62176: Speaking as a grandmother, a full generation removed from the problems of children/schools/discipline, I have to make one observation. We are talking about kids here, under ten for the most part? It seems to me that by the time everyone has discussed and debated the situation, and finally determined an apropriate punishment, the kid most likely has forgotten what he/she is being punished for! Now don't take that as a "for" or "against" statement - it's just an observation.

One more thing - when ours were growing up, there was a moderate amount of corporal punishment meted out, and you can bet it was swift and sure, no talking it to death, and you can also be assured that my husband or I, whoever was doing the punishing, was angry at the time. I would think it would take a pretty cold-hearted parent to be able to cool off, think it over, then walk in on a child and start swatting. Around here - sass your mama, your hiney will glow. Disobey your dad, you will sincerely wish you hadn't. End of story. You should hear the hilarious rehashing of such events when my kids get together. I don't think any of them were "marked" by it. --Romeena
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62177: Yes, I know there are 3 p's in appropriate. Sorry. --Romeena
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62178: HM- I see that you are still in good with the IT person to get Mayberry at school!
Boo- Very funny about the USA chickens! Did you heard that one of the best selling cars in China right now is the Escalade!! Yes!True!
How did rehab go? I was praying for ya while on my evening walk. I will keep bruce in my prayers also. Stress is a killer!
Sterling, I drove by the Culver's and it was packed! A cop was there directing traffic, so i guess i will wait for a while, but will try the tenders. Thanks.
Prayers for all, whether 'ept' or not! ha
Pax et Bonum,
MDC
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62179: HM- I see that you are still in good with the IT person to get Mayberry at school!
Boo- Very funny about the USA chickens! Did you heard that one of the best selling cars in China right now is the Escalade!! Yes!True!
How did rehab go? I was praying for ya while on my evening walk. I will keep bruce in my prayers also. Stress is a killer!
Sterling, I drove by the Culver's and it was packed! A cop was there directing traffic, so i guess i will wait for a while, but will try the tenders. Thanks.
Prayers for all, whether 'ept' or not! ha
Pax et Bonum,
MDC
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62180: That's a whole lot of p's for one skinny old word.

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62181: HM- I see that you are still in good with the IT person to get Mayberry at school!
Boo- Very funny about the USA chickens! Did you heard that one of the best selling cars in China right now is the Escalade!! Yes!True!
How did rehab go? I was praying for ya while on my evening walk. I will keep bruce in my prayers also. Stress is a killer!
Sterling, I drove by the Culver's and it was packed! A cop was there directing traffic, so i guess i will wait for a while, but will try the tenders. Thanks.
Prayers for all, whether 'ept' or not! ha
Pax et Bonum,
MDC
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62182: HM- I see that you are still in good with the IT person to get Mayberry at school!
Boo- Very funny about the USA chickens! Did you heard that one of the best selling cars in China right now is the Escalade!! Yes!True!
How did rehab go? I was praying for ya while on my evening walk. I will keep bruce in my prayers also. Stress is a killer!
Sterling, I drove by the Culver's and it was packed! A cop was there directing traffic, so i guess i will wait for a while, but will try the tenders. Thanks.
Prayers for all, whether 'ept' or not! ha
Pax et Bonum,
MDC
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62183: HM- I see that you are still in good with the IT person to get Mayberry at school!
Boo- Very funny about the USA chickens! Did you heard that one of the best selling cars in China right now is the Escalade!! Yes!True!
How did rehab go? I was praying for ya while on my evening walk. I will keep bruce in my prayers also. Stress is a killer!
Sterling, I drove by the Culver's and it was packed! A cop was there directing traffic, so i guess i will wait for a while, but will try the tenders. Thanks.
Prayers for all, whether 'ept' or not! ha
Pax et Bonum,
MDC
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62184: Somebody bump MDC. He's stuck.

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62185: Somebody bump MDC. He's stuck.

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62186: Somebody bump MDC. He's stuck.

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62187: Somebody bump MDC. He's stuck.

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62188: Hey, our whole porch is stuck!

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62189: somebody call Goober
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62190: nside Pitch

It seems a bit absurd to suggest that a two-game, midweek series in late April could actually loom large on a team’s schedule. Four weeks ago, though, it would have seemed just as absurd to suggest the Dodgers would find themselves in these dire circumstances.

Those circumstances have now deteriorated to the point that this brief visit by the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks beginning Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium is nothing short of a must-win for the reeling Dodgers.

And in a two-game series, a must-win means a must-sweep.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Dodgers will begin by facing Dan Haren, the same All-Star right-hander and strike-throwing machine who dominated them two weeks ago in the desert. And they aren’t going into it with much in the way of momentum, not considering the Dodgers have just gone 1-4 on a five-game trip while scoring exactly one run in each of those losses.

Yes, it is a long season. But by getting off to their worst 20-game start in a dozen years, the Dodgers have put themselves in a position, at least for now, where that long season has been compressed into the next 48 hours. The Diamondbacks are playing at a level that suggests they just might run away and hide from the rest of what was supposed to be a stacked National League West. And after Thursday, the Dodgers won’t get another crack at them until after the All-Star break.

By then, it might be too late to matter.

“Every series is big,” Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal said. “Later in the season, you’re going to need (to have won) a bunch of those games. For us right now, we need to win every series. I know we have a long way to go, but we’ll just keep battling.”

Reds 8, Dodgers 1: Hong-Chih Kuo didn’t battle wildness the way he usually does, but he still couldn’t get out of the fourth inning, and this time, he got bombed. The Reds got to him for five runs on eight hits in the third and fourth after he faced the minimum through the first two. The Dodgers went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position and grounded into three double plays, suggesting their offensive breakout a night earlier was a mirage.

Notes, Quotes

• 2B Jeff Kent went hitless in four at-bats, striking out three times, to snap his eight-game hitting streak. Kent went 10 for 32 during that streak.

• 3B Andy LaRoche will begin his minor-league rehabilitation assignment on Wednesday at Double-A Jacksonville. Manager Joe Torre said LaRoche likely will need the full 20-day allotment because he didn’t have much of a spring training before suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right thumb on March 7.

• RHP Scott Proctor had allowed just one of 10 inherited runners to score this season, but he allowed two to score when he took over for Hong-Chih Kuo with two outs in the fourth inning and immediately gave up a two-run single to Reds CF Jerry Hairston. The Dodgers’ bullpen as a whole has now allowed 6 of 36 (16.7 percent) inherited runners to score.

• CF Andruw Jones was out of the lineup for the second time this season because of severe allergies. He pinch hit in the eighth inning and struck out. Jones has 23 strikeouts in 74 plate appearances this year, an average of one every 3.2 times he comes to the plate.

• LHP Hong-Chih Kuo probably will get the ball again the next time the Dodgers need a fifth starter on Sunday against Colorado, Torre said. Kuo gave up five earned runs, five times as many as he had given up in 11 1/3 previous innings this season.

By The Numbers: 7—Years since the Dodgers were swept in a series of any length by the Atlanta Braves, a run ended over the weekend when the Dodgers went a combined 1-for-22 with runners in scoring position and scored one run in each of the three games. The most recent Braves sweep had also been a three-game series at Turner Field April 25-27, 2000.

Quote To Note: “It’s April, and there is a lot of baseball left. It (stinks) that we are losing so many games this early, but it’s nothing we can’t turn around. I know the guys on this team and they have the character to do it. But if we’re going to turn it around, it’s only going to be because we worked hard and we earned it.”—Dodgers catcher Russell Martin on the fact the club has hit so poorly.

Roster Report

Medical Watch:

CF Andruw Jones (severe allergies) was out of the lineup April 22 and was day-to-day.

3B Nomar Garciaparra (microfracture at base of right wrist) was injured March 7 and activated from the disabled list April 16.

RHP Jason Schmidt (right shoulder surgery in June 2007) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list. He isn’t expected back until at least late May.

3B Andy LaRoche (torn ligament in right wrist) had surgery March 10. He remains on track for a possible return in late May. He was scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment April 23.

INF Tony Abreu (sore groin) opened the season on the 15-day disabled list. He reported to extended spring training in Vero Beach, Fla., in early April.
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62191: Sorry!
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62192: I think it's the fallout folks. It's gotten in our milk.

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62193: No Asa its just me the moron from California
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62194: Howdy "Moron from California"...what the heck did you do?!

Just got back from the chiropracter and feeling alot looser. When he crackes my neck, it sounded like a gun went off in the room...guess I'm pretty tense.

Boo

Here's another qoute:(From the 1994 Miss Alabama, who became Miss America): Question: If you could live forever, would you and why? Answer from Miss Alabama: "I would not live forever because we should not live forever, because if we were supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever."
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62195: ..and just one more..."Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life"~Brooke Sheilds, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign.

Boo
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62196: Hi Boo,
MFC
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62197: Sorry Boo and everyone else I lost control of my computer!
MFC
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62198:
That's it, I'm contacting Floyd. I think our $20 million virtual fence has been breeched, even whilst were under sniper fire. Whos is MFC?
Not me.
MDC
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62199: I'm guessing MFC is the feller who called himself moron from California. Sounds like he may have accidentlly tripped up something there cause the Porch went odd for a few minutes. No harm done.
Come join us MFC but maybe we can choose you a name that's not so demeaning cause I bet you ain't a moron. :)

Boo, glad your loose now but maybe you shouldn't go around bragging on it. ;)

Asa
April 23, 2008 - Msg 62200: How about NPFC (nice person from California)?

ASA, you know what I meant! Just because I like to catch your act at the Gigolo Club in Yancey does NOT mean I'm loose...

Boo

Next quote: "I've never had major knee surgery on any other part of my body."~Winston Bennett, University of Kentucky basketball forward.